In the early years of Delaware, this area was known as Briar Hill and was the highest elevation in the city. Facing south and approximately at the center of the existing courthouse stood the first Delaware County Courthouse, a two-story brick structure of Virginia design measuring 38 feet by 40 feet, erected in 1816 at a cost of $8,000. Although substantial efforts were made to preserve it, the courthouse deteriorated over the years, became unsafe to use, and was demolished in the spring of 1858. The cornerstone for the present courthouse was laid in May of 1868, and the building, designed by architect Robert N. Jones and costing about $70,000, was ready for occupancy in January of 1870. During the fall of 1802, Thomas Cellar and his two sons came here from Liberty Township in search of their hogs, and later the younger son wrote of the Delaware plain as it had appeared six years before the city was founded. He described springs, a salt lick, and the area's vegetation, and said that from the courthouse ridge south and east to the river stretched the prettiest plum orchard he had ever seen. The plum orchard had belonged to Native Americans, perhaps the inhabitants of Pluggy's Town, located one quarter mile to the northeast.

Photo: Postcard by the Rotograph Co.

Photo: William Fischer, Jr.

Photo: William Fischer, Jr.

Photo: William Fischer, Jr.